Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."
-Mark 10:14b-15

Being a disciple of Jesus is not always easy. There are many reasons for this, and the struggles are a little different in each person's life. That's why following Jesus is a life-long journey for all of us. This verse brings to mind two challenges of following Christ.

You could take Jesus' words here to mean that we should embrace the Kingdom of God the way children embrace much of life... with a sense of enthusiasm, and openness. Children tend to understand that they need others to get through life; they don't find it so hard to rely on others. And yet we need to rely on God, and on our brothers and sisters. Welcoming the Kingdom in this way is not always easy, and yet we're invited to do so.

You could also read Jesus' words in another way. In Jesus' day, children were among the outcasts of society. This may sound strange, as our culture tends to romanticize children. But in his time, when Jesus welcomed children, he welcomed people with no social status, people with no rights, people who were considered unimportant. And so perhaps Jesus calls to us: if you won't receive the Kingdom of God in the outcast, the misfit, the loser, you won't receive it at all.

How are you open to God's kingdom? Where will you look for it, this week? In whom do you see God's face? May you seek God with openness, with expectation, with the trust that you'll be cared for... and may you look and live and love among those whom are not wanted. Peace be with you.